Herbal Ley Overseeding – Legume & Herb, No Grasses 20kg

The GS4 / SAM3 / CSAM3 Herbal Ley Overseeding – Legume & Herb Only Seed Mix is a specialist grass-free legume and herb seed mixture designed for overseeding into an existing grass sward as part of a diverse herbal ley. The formulation combines nine legume species with four herb species, providing a broad range of flowering plants within the established sward and supporting the development of a productive, legume- and herb-rich ley.

The mixture contains Red Clover, White Clover, Berseem Clover, Sainfoin, Lucerne, Crimson Clover, Vetch, Sweet Yellow Blossom Clover and Yellow Trefoil, together with Sheep's Parsley, Ribwort Plantain, Burnet and Yarrow. With a stated flowering period of April to October, the mixture provides a diverse flowering component while the legumes contribute to the productive forage element of the established herbal ley.

Sow at 5kg per acre in late summer or early autumn. The 20kg pack provides approximately 4 acres of coverage at the recommended rate. This grass-free mixture is intended for overseeding into an existing grass sward, with establishment and management carried out in accordance with the requirements of the applicable scheme or action. Where used for SFI26 CSAM3, ensure the resulting established herbal ley and seed mixture meet the current action requirements.

Schemes

GS4 – Legume and Herb-rich Swards
SAM3 – Herbal Ley
CSAM3 – Herbal Ley

This mixture is formulated as a grass-free legume and herb component for overseeding into grass. Scheme requirements can change, so farmers and land managers should always check the current requirements applying to their agreement before sowing.

Features & Benefits

• Specialist grass-free herbal ley overseeding mixture

• Legume and herb-rich formulation

• Designed for overseeding into an existing grass sward

• Suitable for use in grassland-based herbal ley establishment

• Contains 9 legume species

• Contains 4 herb species

• 13 species in total

• Includes Red Clover, White Clover, Berseem Clover and Sainfoin

• Contains Lucerne, Crimson Clover and Vetch

• Includes Sweet Yellow Blossom Clover and Yellow Trefoil

• Herb component includes Sheep's Parsley, Ribwort Plantain, Burnet and Yarrow

• Flowering period from April to October

• Designed to support productive forage for livestock

• Intended to reduce reliance on inorganic fertiliser as part of a legume-rich sward

• Supports drought resilience

• Supports soil structure and soil biology

• Intended to support long-term soil fertility

• Stated aim includes supporting carbon storage

• 5kg per acre sowing rate

• 20kg pack covers approximately 4 acres

Applications

The GS4 / SAM3 / CSAM3 Legume & Herb Only Mix is intended for:

• Herbal ley overseeding

• Legume and herb-rich swards

• Overseeding into established grass

• Grassland diversification

• Productive livestock forage systems

• Agricultural grassland

• Environmental land management

• Countryside Stewardship GS4 areas where the mixture and establishment method meet the applicable requirements

• Herbal ley establishment associated with SAM3 / CSAM3 where the overall established sward meets the applicable scheme requirements

Application Rate

5kg per acre

A 20kg pack covers approximately 4 acres at the recommended sowing rate.

Coverage is approximate and will depend on establishment conditions and sowing method.

When to Sow

Late summer / early autumn.

The mixture is intended for overseeding into an existing grass sward. Establishment should be carried out in a way that follows the requirements of the applicable scheme or action.

Pack Size

20kg

Approximate coverage: 4 acres at 5kg/acre.

Seed Mixture

Key Species

Red Clover – 20%
A major component of the mixture, contributing to the legume-rich character of the herbal ley and productive forage sward.

White Clover – 10%
A valuable forage legume included to broaden the clover component of the established sward.

Berseem Clover – 10%
A further flowering legume contributing to species diversity within the mixture.

Sainfoin – 20%
One of the principal species in the formulation and an important part of the diverse legume component.

Lucerne – 10%
A deep-rooting legume included within the mixture's diverse forage component.

Crimson Clover – 10%
Adds further flowering and legume diversity to the sward.

Vetch – 5%
A flowering legume included as part of the broader legume mix.

Sweet Yellow Blossom Clover & Yellow Trefoil
Additional legumes contributing to the diversity of the mixture.

Sheep's Parsley, Ribwort Plantain, Burnet & Yarrow
Four herb species that broaden the plant diversity of the established legume and herb-rich sward.

Management & Establishment

This is a grass-free seed mixture, designed for overseeding into an existing grass sward rather than establishing as a grass-free ley in isolation.

The existing grass component is therefore important when establishing a herbal ley using this mixture. Farmers should ensure that the resulting sward meets the requirements of the relevant scheme or agreement.

For current SFI26 CSAM3, government guidance requires the herbal ley to be established using a seed mix containing, as a minimum, one grass species, two legume species and two herb or wildflower species. This product supplies the legume and herb component and does not itself contain grass seed.

For GS4, the government guidance describes legume and herb-rich swards and recommends a diverse mixture of grasses, legumes and herbs; the precise requirements applicable to the agreement should be checked before establishment.